Mahnaz Amini; Hosein Bashari; Mohammad Taghi Feizi
Volume 31, Issue 2 , August 2024, , Pages 129-148
Abstract
Background and objectivesVarious environmental and managerial stresses are severely threatening wetland ecosystems in Iran. The Gavkhouni Wetland, one of the largest and most strategically significant wetlands in the central plateau of Iran, faces numerous challenges. Given its unique ecological importance ...
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Background and objectivesVarious environmental and managerial stresses are severely threatening wetland ecosystems in Iran. The Gavkhouni Wetland, one of the largest and most strategically significant wetlands in the central plateau of Iran, faces numerous challenges. Given its unique ecological importance and the diverse plant habitats surrounding it, studying the vegetation in this area is crucial. Understanding the various conditions of the plants, including dominant families, geographical distribution, biological forms, and conservation status, is essential for any conservation, management, or ecological research activities in this region. MethodologyThe study area encompasses the upper reaches of the Zayandehrud River in Isfahan Province, covering 50,000 hectares with elevations ranging from 1,470 to 2,533 meters above sea level. This region has an arid climate characterized by saline soils, including solonchaks, marshy areas, and sandy soils. The average annual temperature at Gavkhuni Wetland is 17.6 degrees Celsius, with total annual precipitation measuring 91 millimeters. According to the Ambrothermic curve, the area experiences a prolonged dry period from April to November. Field surveys were conducted using 1:25,000 scale topographic maps from early October to November 2021. During these surveys, plant samples were collected, pressed, dried, and identified at the herbarium of the Natural Resources Department of Isfahan University of Technology, with consultation from experts and reliable scientific sources. This research resulted in a comprehensive list of plant species, detailing their scientific names, families, genera, life forms, geographical distribution, and conservation statuses. ResultsThe study identified 100 plant species from 16 families and 65 genera in the region, with 27 species possessing medicinal and industrial properties. The Amaranthaceae family, with 31 species, and the Asteraceae family, with 14 species, collectively constitute 45% of the vegetation cover. Other prominent families include Poaceae with 10 species and Fabaceae with 9 species. In terms of life forms, therophytes dominate at 40%, followed by hemicryptophytes at 23%. Geographically, 71% of the identified species belong to the Irano-Turanian floristic region. Despite the ecological challenges faced by the area, its diverse topography and edaphic factors have fostered significant species diversity. ConclusionGavkhuni Wetland's flora is highly sensitive to climate and management practices. Despite facing severe biological constraints, the region exhibits relatively robust plant diversity. Inadequate management of the Zayandehrud watershed, particularly in Gavkhuni Wetland, has resulted in declining groundwater levels and increased aridity, threatening many plant species with drying, pest infestations, shrub encroachment, and overgrazing. Continued adverse conditions, exacerbated by climate change, pose a significant threat to the region's flora.
Mohammadtaghi Feizi; Morteza Khodagholi; Mostafa Saeedfar; Amrali Shahmoradi
Volume 10, Issue 4 , August 2019, , Pages 387-408
Mostafa saeedfar; Mohammad taghi Feyzi; Amr ali Shahmoradi
Volume 13, Issue 2 , February 2006, , Pages 116-126
Abstract
To manage renewable natural resources is impossible, without attention to its ecological characteristic. Therefore study of rangeland species autecology is very importance. In this research, the autecology of Salsola orientalis S.G.Gamelin was studied from 1997 to 1999 in Isfahan province (Mouthe). Thus ...
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To manage renewable natural resources is impossible, without attention to its ecological characteristic. Therefore study of rangeland species autecology is very importance. In this research, the autecology of Salsola orientalis S.G.Gamelin was studied from 1997 to 1999 in Isfahan province (Mouthe). Thus several factors as, geographical distribution, botanical characteristics, phenology, reproduction, seed rate, root system, chemical composition, nutrient value, forage production, disease, climate and its effects on this species were surveyed. This species has wide geographic distribution in the arid land of the world and appear in different vegetation types, also it is dominant in some of the sites in steppe region. This specimen has wide range of altitude from 1000 – 2000 m in Iran and 800 – 2000 m. in Esfahan province. This species is a shrub with 30 – 100 cm. high and in certain regions maybe reach to 1.5 m. Its phenological phenomens occur during long time and is different in different years. Chemical composition showed high protein (% 12), total digestible nutrient (TDN) 62%. Forage production is different according in ecological condition. Salsola orientalis was found in different soils (with different structure and texture) and geologic formation. It is resistant to pests and disease and heavy grazing. This species appears in regions up to 150 mm precipitation and with absolute maximum and minimum temperature, respectively +40 and -20 degree centigrade. For escaping from unsuitable condition it removes it's foliage and modifying growth period length and by this method resistant to aridity
Mehdi Eftekhari; Mohammad Taghi Feizi
Volume 9, Issue 2 , September 2001, , Pages 695-702